How we decide what historical actions we apply modern morality to? For example, we hold the founding fathers accountable for slavery (as we should), but not for views on homosexuality, or relations with what we would now consider “underage” women

by [deleted]
SepehrNS

Greetings. Not to discourage further responses, but do check out these older answers :

Why do historians reject moral presentism? by u/cthulhushrugged and u/jschooltiger and u/commiespaceinvader and u/alriclofgar and u/MI13 and u/sowser and u/restricteddata

Can anyone help me understand presentism and morality? by u/alriclofgar and u/Iguana_on_a_stick and u/RioAbajo and u/CommodoreCoCo

How fair is it to hold historical figures to modern ethical standards? by u/commiespaceinvader and u/alriclofgar

Also check out :

Open Round-Table Discussion: Presentism

How to discuss history with people who are focused on applying contemporary values back across all periods.

Hope this helps.